Davis celebrates 40th anniversary of ordination

DURHAM, N.C. —  When Addie Davis was ordained to the gospel ministry Aug. 9, 1964, she and the supportive congregation were unknowingly making history. Forty years later, Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham, N.C., celebrated with Davis — now recognized as the first Southern Baptist woman to be ordained for pastoral ministry.

A soft-spoken minister from Covington, Va., Davis preached during the Aug. 8 service marking the 40th anniversary of her ordination. She urged listeners to hold firm to their spiritual commitments.

At least three people who participated in the historic ordination returned for the anniversary — Warren Carr, the church’s former pastor, and R.C. Briggs and Luther Copeland, both former professors from nearby Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary who taught Davis at the time. Four clergywomen who are current members of Watts Street Church also participated in the anniversary celebration.

In her brief message, Davis called for patience and affirmed that God’s timing is perfect. “It is hard to wait. We want instant satisfaction,” she said. “Waiting is not one of our best characteristics.”